Trad Gang

I joined tradgang in 2008. I joined when i was 13 and im turning 17 in a couple of days. I have grown 8 inches. My draw length has gone from around 26in to around 29in.

I went from having my one and only hunting bow in my Black Widow PSR, which is 54@30. to now having 3 bows. The one im shooting now is my Schafer which is 66@29. Also i have gotten alot better at making arrows.

I also can now set up a stand on my own. Well most of the time.

I have only shot one deer still, but have successfully missed a deer since(twice).

2008- THEN

    (http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/TraditionalBowman/Bowfishing2008.jpg)

2011- NOW

    (http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af311/TraditionalBowman/meshooting2.jpg)

So what has changed since you have joined Tradgang?

Schafer

I lost alot more hair...LOL

I got old!  :)

Still don't know enough to fill a thimble.

The more things I learned, the more I have to learn. I know just enough now to want to spend some serious money on shooting and totally confuse myself. I'm having a ball, though!

I have had brain surgery and feel a lot better than in 03' when I joined. Made many friends on here and have owned over a 100 custom bows since than! Shawn

Almost died by stabbing myself with a broadhead..

Got older... nothing new there...

Have enjoyed seeing you younger folks find trad archery and keep us older folks on our toes...

Good luck this season.....

I've had back surgery and dropped poundage on my bows. Glad your hear and having fun.

doug77

I learned pretty quick that I was over bowed.  My everyday shooter is 45 pounds now. Do you play football or lift weights?  I pull 50 pounds at my 28 inch draw with my huntin' rig!  I feel like a wuss now after reading your post.  Keep it up kid, your doin' good.

Its very good to see a young man looking from where he came as it will give you a sense of where you are going.

Since joining TradGang so much has happened that it feels like a different life. I have become a Grandfather several times over and can't wait to share the outdoor world and traditional life with those little ones.

Since 2006...

Traveled out of state to hunt.

Increased in poundage.

Bowled a 280.

More tattoos.

More dead hogs and deer.

More bows.

Got extremely better looking.

Was asked to leave MENSA because I was too much of a genius.

Went from 3 under to split.

Cam....you really expect me (us) to believe that? You really switched to split finger? Wow, I guess some folks can change! Mike

Since joining tradgang in '03, I have owned too many bows to keep track of. Suffered nerve damage in my neck and shoulder that forced me to drop in bow     weight, killed some critters and most importantly became a grandfather to Andrew. A lot of folks here on the 'gang did some praying for Andrew.....both before and after his birth. Unless my dsl is down, I at least check in here at least for a minute or two most every day! Mike

I don't remember..lol

God bless,Mudd

Joined in '04
gained some weight.
gone back to shooting Bear bows.
Moved to a state I really like.
continue to learn Deer & Elk are very wary.
Frank

I found out through connections, out of state hunts are not as out there as I once thought.

Made new friends

now have a healthy addiction.

Have gotten older and I hope wiser.......some will argue with that.   :dunno:   I also shoot more and spend more time in the woods not only hunting but stumping. I love to stump shoot!

since i have been with trad gang ive learned alot. the more i learn the more i want to learn. i have gained quality friends who are of worth. all have stuck there neck out for me in some way or another.ive built a bow . participated in the tg bow swap.learned to make my own arrows and strings. ive had long distance conversations about archery and bow building with fellas ive never even met. this place means the world to me. i only hope that some day i can give back more than i have received by being a member here . i cherish my time here and i hope that i will still be able to participate and contribute to trad archery. hunting season is upon us and i hope to fill some tags to be able to share with all. thanks to all for continuing to allow me to be a small part of it all. rv

Since I joined Trad Gang my bow numbers now nearly equal the number of rifles in my gunsafe...and my rifles are sad that they haven't been used!

Met more new and good people than I otherwise would have thought existed. Also got my first big game bow kill....

Well, I learn somthing almost every day. I knew Charlie Lamb, Mudd, Butch, and a few others before TG and have since meat some other good folks. I check in every day to see whats up.

I grew up around more archery than many people see in a lifetime... but since I've joined TG I've learned an awful lot.  This site takes YEARS off the learning curve, because we learn from each other's experiences and mistakes.  

Archie

I've learned there are more good people out there than I thought.

I am more relaxed.  Since for the last 5 to 7 years I have been at the range about every day.

Since I joined Trad Gang I've made some good friends,realized I didn't know what I was doing,but have learned alot.

I've learned that there is so much that I don't know.

Humm since 2003?? 2 marriages. 2 divorces...1 daughter,13 girlfriends, 50 plus bows, 500 + arrows, 3 trucks, 2 houses, 1 bear hunt in Qubec.. 2 dogs 1 hamster, 1 ginnie pig...lol What a ride... can't wait to see what is next? LOL

TG has introduced me to some great ideas, people and possibilities. That combined with joining a local club, and the PBS, has been huge
in helping my son and I develop skills, enjoy some great hunts and some wonderful trips with many more to come! It is really about the people and what others are achieving-it has broadened our horizons.

Learned alot from this site.

Shooting better thanks to all the information gather from all.

Got at least three more bows.

Went from 45# to 70#.

Planned a trip to australia for water buff next summer.

I guess things are pretty good.

I have learned to take one day at a time.

Theres others out there like me ,kinda scary   :thumbsup:  Too much to remember all.

..the longer I bowhunt (40 plus years)the more it seems I know ! Things in the deer woods change so much..so do we ! But it is refreshing too me (well , most changes) Less bow bending and more just looking. Enjoy it all!

I've learned there are lots of folks out there like me.

Learned that I should have joined a lot sooner, Slow learner. A good friend of mine kept telling me that this was a great site. Thanks Mr Doug.

Fell out of love with black powder hunting, duck hunting and AR platform rifles. I still have my guns but they arent near as rewarding to bag game with than my sticks.Met alot of friends and spent a ton of money.

I joined in March of 2006. Since that time, I've physically gained 15 pounds and I've gone from a very heavy arrow setup to a light arrow setup for both of my recurves.

......I've met more people that shoot stickbows than I ever knew in the old days (pre-compound days when it was just plain old archery!).

 :campfire:

Well, I learned the older I get, the less I really know. But I know one thing for sure, life is short, so take advanage of every minute of it.

One other thing I know for sure, I love my longbows.

I've lost some hair,gained some weight and realized how much I didn't know about shooting a stickbow.I've aquired some great bows and my guns have spent a lot more time in the gun safe.
All in all it's been an enjoyable learning experience.  :knothead:    :archer:

I'm new. Started the Trad in Feb. when I found a fine Bear Kodiak Hunter in a pawn shop. I fooled around with recurves in the 80's, but never learned them like I am now.

Since Feb., I also just took delivery on a Timberhawk Strike XT and also bought a brand new Dream Catcher from somebody here on the Trad Gang sell board. I love both. Been shooting & learned non-stop since Feb. Sold one of 2 compounds. I just can't stop shooting. Is there a cure ?  Maybe a shootaholic's class ?

Since May 2003, I have posted 5269 times. That's almost 2 posts per day.  Assuming an average time of 2 minutes per post, that's 10,500 minutes, 175 hours, or 7.3 days in posting alone.  I think that is a tiny bit scary or pitiful.  I have now thoroughly depressed myself.  I'm leaving  :)

I ended up here from a referral since I was really into the history/collecting.  Was on the Widow Wall and L'wall for a few years beforehand.  Since then?....so much information absorbed about Bear Archery, many many bows bought/given, very few sold, and entertainment factor unmeasurable.  I check the history/collecting site every day.

i have mellowed in age, i'm much happier in life now.  i enjoy the little things and try not to worry about things that in the "big picture" really don't matter.

I'm only half as smart as my shooting buddy's think I am. And twice as dumb as I pretend to be, I think. I can't remember anymore getting old blows. I used to remember when I started. If a young guy like you remembers let me know it would be helpful.
 :smileystooges:    :banghead:

Learned that single bevels are the only head to use -   :D    :knothead:  

Seriously though I found even if I cant get out to hunt quite so much as I used to I do enjoy being able to see pictures and read folks stories that have.

Since joining in 2009 I've learned you can teach this old Crow new tricks. Learned things here I wished I knew 30 years ago. Good people!

turn 58 in a little wile have spent enough money to burn a wet elephant on trad. stuff and think it is worth every penney matter O fact a new widdow is on the way right now "god bless"

QuoteOriginally posted by String Cutter:
Humm since 2003?? 2 marriages. 2 divorces...1 daughter,13 girlfriends, 50 plus bows, 500 + arrows, 3 trucks, 2 houses, 1 bear hunt in Qubec.. 2 dogs 1 hamster, 1 ginnie pig...lol What a ride... can't wait to see what is next? LOL

Boy you are a busy man.  How did you find time to hunt?  :biglaugh:

Shot some deer, graduated college..got a new car and a new job. Just working my way up...I'd rather be hunting though.  :)

Got older, fatter, balder......
Enjoying life everyday.
Randy

Since '06.....

I guess the big one would be moved to the US from England.
Got to make some amazing friends, visited some spectacular places with those friends, killed a few things, missed alot more.
Settled on which bows I like. My drawlength has increased from 29" to 31"
Broke a few bows & built my first bow.
Put on a crapload of weight too. (Damned Southern cooking)

Joined in Sept. 25th 2003.
Shot heavier bows back then. Some 60's and 70's!
Now, I'm shootin' 50's to 56's
Compression fracture of T7 'n T8 vertebrae.
Not to mention 2"shorter(and older "72").

I'm glad I met and enjoyed TradGang and so many Tradgangers over the years.

 :biglaugh:

Lost 70 pounds, grew what's left of my hair long after being buzzed for 30 years, got in the best shape I've been in since high school... and...

learned that mule deer do not need thumbs to thumb their noses at you.

Since 05.. well I've become a sponser on the best website out there, met more good folks than i thought existed, added a little girl to our family (10 yrs between kids), lost a job, and learned a lot, and made some incredible friends i would otherwise never met. Killed some stuff, missed a lot more, and am still as elkless as I was then.
The biggest thing about this site is it has restored my faith in humanity, there really are some real good folks on this site who will do anything for strangers and live by the golden rule  :thumbsup:

I hear ya Ryan........but I'd say you are no longer "mooseless"!!!!

 :campfire:

Since I've joined a year ago in October...

I've traded a few bows for more bows. Bought a couple bows. Had the best deer season I've ever had, missed the biggest whitetail I've ever had the chance of shooting (25 yard shot    :knothead: ). I had a blast this turkey season with my recurve and called in and killed a coyote with it. Changed my aiming method from instinctive, to gap, back to instinctive, to string walking, and finally back to instinctive. Somewhere in there changed from split to three under. I think I'll stay with three under and instinctive, but that could change by next week. Found out a few weeks ago I'm going to be a dad! Going antelope hunting for the first time next weekend. Pretty awesome year!

I have learned to be a better person, woodsman, and archer. I have sold my wheel bows. I have also learned that harvesting an animal does not make for a successful hunt. Merely carrying my stick and string through the majestic colorado backcountry stump shooting is all it takes to rise my spirit! If they start to sell stump tags I will buy em. I kill alot of stumps.
Shawn

Wow,

Been divorced.    

Got married.   :)  

2 motorcycle wrecks.   :eek:  

Switched jobs after 22 years.    :cool:  

I definitely got better looking.   :D

Does that mid-life crissis make everyone think they got better looking? I cant wait to have mine!

Well. Since joined in '03 I've...

Gained and lost a few pounds
Gained and lost a few friends (hopefully the plus side is winning there)
Gone from self bows to bamboo backed bows to glass backed longbows and recurves...self made and custom bought
Taken a few deer
Had a beautiful daughter....(who's now EIGHT)
Lost a great cat and gained an awesome dog
Celebrated 15 years of marriage with my wife....

Since 2003: Have dropped 35 pounds of me, also 5# of bow weight.  Have been at three different employers.  Bought a log home with 20 acres - 18 wooded and huntable.

Added a bunch of gray hair and a lot of good memories.  Lost my Father, lost a best friend but gained a few more.

Since 2003 I have gained a bunch of friends from here, it really all started when a well known memeber got shot while bowhunting and a group of NY hunters got him back out into the woods for a rabbit hunt.  They did it again the following year and I weasaled my way into it, the number of people I have met and become friends with because of that is mind boggling!

This is a great place to be......


David

Man, where to start?

My personal life has been thru valley's and peaks. Persued after the love of my life and now we have a sweet little 4 year old darlin (Peanut). Lost my Ma. Finally bought my cabin in WV that borders a 23,000 acre WMA (I'll never again have to worry about having a place to hunt...). Met some really awesome folks thru this site. Enjoy making the traditional bow shoot's every year and meeting new friends. Staying focused on what really matters and stopping from time to time to smell the roses...

It's been a great ride!

JL

I injured both of my elbows in the spring of '09, spent two years doing physical therapy, and one year not shooting my bow at all.

My elbows are now 100% and I started shooting again in April.

I was scared to death that I may not get to shoot or bowhunt any more!

I wasn't hunting with recurves when I first registered on Trad Gang. I was just getting curious.

Since:
-100% Recurve Hunter(starting last year)
-Picked up and moved some recurves
-Learned about Fetch Tape
-Learned how better to tie on Whiskers
-Found lots of folks that know more than I do
-Not as afraid of getting too old for archery
-Found a like new Bear A Mag
-I loved bowhunting with my comppounds but the recurves take me back,  wayyyyy back!

Since joining in '03, Fads have come and go. Camo patterns change with every season it seems. More people have started making their own hunting tackle. Compound bows are resembling something Batman would use to repel down from a roof, which makes me appreciate a simple stick and string all the more. People come and go. We've all lost loved ones and watched our children grow. My girls went from grade school to high school and the oldest will be off to college next year. I've watched a set of triplets show up to their first MOJam as infants in strollers and now walking around at MOJam with their own bows. I've made hundreds of friends and met most of them in person. One constant is that the threads haven't changed much over the years. Winter brings bow building/buying season, then we find we need to make more arrows and get opinions on the best (insert product here). Spring brings 3D season and shows and we gather even more supplies we must have. Summer is practice season and we decide what camo is the best. Then the broadhead threads start. What to buy, how to sharpen. Then, it's all about hunting in the fall, followed by stories and hero pics and beautiful scenery pics. Winter will set in soon enough, so you remember the stories from the passing year and look forward to new ones. Yes, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
 :campfire:

I joined in February 2004, Tradgang has grown ALOT! I went to Africa hunting in 2005, Australia to hunt in 2006, I moved and got married in 2007, my daughter Ryleigh was born in January 2010, I bought a house and moved again in October 2010, my wife started going to college in August of this year.  I was also at the PBS conventions in San Antonio and Salt Lake in 2004 and 2006.  I have met a lot of wonderful people and had wonderful experiences because of Tradgang and even though it is not as small and cozy as it once was it is still the best place on the net by far, as far as I am concerned!

Since 2003....???

Let's see.  I gained a son.  Gained about 10 lbs.  Gained about 25 or 30 recurves.  Sold and or traded that many away.  Met a lot of cats on here, told some good story's.  Raise the glass with a few of em every year at Cloverdale.

Think Gallagher said, "Ever notice how folks driving slower than you are mostly A--holes & those faster are always Crazy B--t--ds!?"

PLenty different opinions in this crockpot; but, TG hunters respect & get along. No one right way. I learned that.

Haven't been here very long... July 2008.
Only hunted with a few select people, for 20 years was pretty much a loner. Even let my PBS membership slide.
Since joining:
I've renewed my faith in the bowhunting world, found out there really are others that never have shot compounds.
Reinstated my PBS Regular membership.
Started attending Traditional shoots again. (which I thought were a thing of the past)
Met and hunted with a lot of good trustworthy folks.
Lost 25 lbs and got back in to fighting shape.
Gained 20 lbs back and am working again on losing it.
Had some serious financial ups and downs.
Watched 2 offspring finish college.
Had another Grandson.
Started another business.
Celebrated 25 years of marriage.(soon to be 26)
Approaching 57 years old and still don't have a grey hair. Can still shoot 100# draw weight.
Still prefer hunting alone, but now know I have plenty of like minded friends when the need for them arises. Life is good.
Oh yeah, after being bitten 7 times over the past 35 years.... I've finally started wearing snake boots! Momma insists. Guess I'm still a buzzworm magnet, have seen 3 over 5' in the last 2 weeks.
Added 16 more bows and 7 quivers to the little collection.
   :archer: